So, you want to get back out there? A dating app is exactly what you need. There are tonnes of dating apps for local singles in the UK, focused on gay, straight and bi men and women and every other clan in the LGBTQ+ community. However, finding free dating apps can be a challenge. Yes, they come with subscription upgrades that increase your chances of a match, but you don't have to pay for anything unless you want to.
We've reviewed the most popular apps for iPhone and Android like Hinge, Bumble, and Tinder to find you the best selection whether it's casual dating, a serious relationship, or maybe just a friendship you'd like to spark. We've also made sure to be completely age-inclusive so that you can find love, or maybe a one-time meet up, no matter where you are in your life.
Quick List - Top Free Dating Apps
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Mixed-orientation apps are open to anyone of any preference. On a platform with so many different individuals, you can meet literally anyone. You can meet like-minded people and form romantic or platonic relationships – follow where the wind takes you!
If you're open to trying new things or you're unsure of what you should look for in a partner, you can always try a mixed-orientation app to allow yourself to explore your options more freely.
In addition, you're more likely to meet more people on a mixed-orientation app as the demographic isn't as niche. If you want to meet a lot of new people as opposed to one perfect match, an app with a wider user network such as this one would be highly beneficial to you.
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You can find a more specific result in apps that offer a smaller niche. This could be gay, lesbian, bisexual, or any other LGBTQ+ category. With an app like this, you get to talk to people with similar interests who have the same orientation as yourself without any confusion.
For anyone who knows their own interests well and wants to find local like-minded people, this is a great option. There aren't as many people to network with as there would be on a popular mixed site, but you get an honest experience, connecting with the people that will bring the best results.
Want more options for the best LGBTQ+ dating apps in the UK? We got you covered!
Of course, it goes without saying that love has no age. However, it's important that you narrow down your selections in order to meet someone who fits in your desired age category. There are lots of dating apps out there and each one has a unique demographic.
In the specification tables of each app, we've clarified the average age of most users. This can be useful for other reasons too; ages 18 - 25 are more likely to be looking for a casual relationship, while the 30 - 40 age group could be looking for something more serious.
Ask yourself what you're looking for and find out which age group suits you the most. You might prefer the maturity of an older partner, or maybe you'd prefer the company of someone a few years younger.
If your relationship status is beginning to weigh on your mind, you might want to ask yourself what it is that you're looking for out of this new dating app. Are you someone who wants to settle down with the right person, or would you prefer to meet a few new faces first? Either way, a dating app can carve that path for you, even if you're not sure of your destination yet.
While all dating apps are made to connect two potential partners, there are some apps that have slowly integrated into more of a 'casual' system. If you're not looking for anything serious, use a casual dating app to find someone to hang with, no strings attached. However, you don't want to grow fond of someone who isn't ready to settle, so if you'd like a serious relationship, make sure that you're using the right app for it.
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While our list focuses on apps that are free for everyone to use, there's always a chance you might like to upgrade your account with a membership. This is a monthly subscription for additional features that put you ahead in the dating game. The features can put you at the top of people's list, open new ways to communicate, and allow you to see more about your insights and even see who's interested in you!
If you notice yourself feeling serious about finding a partner after trying out the free version first, you might find it useful to pay for the best features of your app. This will help you to get the most out of the dating system and meet match-worthy people. On the other hand, if you're not in much of a hurry to find someone or just looking for something casual, you could probably just get by with the basic free version.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Tinder Inc. Tinder | ![]() | Swipe Your Way to Happiness With This Impulse-Based Dating App | |
2 | Hinge, Inc. Hinge | ![]() | The Relationship App That’s Designed to Be Deleted | |
3 | Social Impact Inc. Taimi | ![]() | The Most Inclusive Dating App for All Sexualities | |
4 | Grindr LLC Grindr|Gay Chat | ![]() | Chat With Local Guys and Find a Connection | |
5 | PlentyofFish PlentyofFish | ![]() | Popular Dating App for Singles in Their 30s and 40s | |
6 | HAPPN SAS happn | ![]() | Safe Casual Dating App That Won’t Reveal Your Location | |
7 | Bumble Holding Limited Bumble | ![]() | Great for Users in Their 20's Who Want to Start With Friendship | |
8 | OkCupid OkCupid | ![]() | Meet New People Based on Your Personality and Interests | |
9 | eharmony.com eharmony | ![]() | Narrow Down Your Options to Find a Compatible Match | |
10 | Hily Corp. Hily | ![]() | Meet People, Video Chat and Find Love |
Based on first impressions and impulse decisions, Tinder is the fast-moving mastermind between the Swipe Right™ and Swipe Left™ feature, letting your heart act before your head to lead you to only the best of matches. Matching 25 million people every day, this app is also named as “the world’s hottest app” and it's clear that it can link you to new people with ease.
Tinder uses a 'No Rejection' system which means that you'll only get a match if you have a mutual interest in each other. You can use Tinder completely free no matter where you are, whether at home or travelling, to make sure that you have great company wherever you go.
Created to find exactly what you need, this app is designed to be deleted. Aimed at people looking for love in the digital world, Hinge is going to help you find a real relationship, connecting two people based on their interests, location, and vulnerabilities as opposed to visual preferences.
Hinge hints at personality traits that complement your own as well as showing you some potential dates. You can ask them questions and spark a conversation, and Hinge will check in with you to see if you went on a second date. The free features are excellent; an upgrade allows you to see your likes or set advanced preferences.
Taimi is possibly the most inclusive app for LGBTQ+ folk. With over 8 million users, you can mingle with people interested in relationships of all kinds; gay, lesbian, bi, trans, asexual, and more. You can chat for free, video call, create posts and stories and spark a unique bond with people with similar interests.
With the free version, you get to do all of that, and you even get to review your statistics and see who likes you. You can access most of the best features without paying, but the subscription can increase your chances of finding love.
Your hunt for a hookup ends here. This app holds a myriad of unique features and it's tailored at gay men who are looking for something casual, although there's nothing stopping your one-time-thing from growing into true love. On this app, you browse through profiles using a filtered search and you can chat to the man of your choice.
You can pretty much do the same things whether you're a free user or a paying member, although the paid subscription allows a lot more freedom. You can chat and send as many photos as you like, and you can even see who's viewing your profile. Paying members can also check people out on incognito mode to stay on the down-low.
When you use POF, you're practically guaranteed to have your first conversation in the first 24 hours. The best part? Messaging is 100% free! This is definitely a good app if you're reluctant to pay for added features. While the subscription offers a few good upgrades, the free version allows you to view your matches, send messages, and receive messages so you don't need to pay a penny.
This widely popular app is designed to help people in their 30s and 40s to find love, and with 17 million conversations exchanged every day, this is one of the most popular dating apps around.
Happn has over 95 million users who are looking for a casual relationship with a likeminded individual. So, how does it work? You can browse through profiles to send secret likes, and if the person likes you back, the app will let them know so that you can see if there are any sparks.
This is one of the safest dating apps out there which is reassuring for younger users. Your location is never shared with anyone, but you can see if you and your match have ever crossed paths! Coincidence or fate? That's up to you to decide.
If you want a relationship but you're happy to take things slow, why not start by finding a friend? Bumble is aimed at people in their 20s who want to broaden their social horizon. Throughout its lifetime, Bumble has seen over 100 million accounts and it's most known for its empowering system, whereby women have to make the first move.
While that doesn't work well for people who aren't interested in women, Bumble allows exceptions for sexual orientation and friendships. It's not as straightforward, but it still works. No matter what you're looking for, whether that's a lover, a partner, a friend, or a business mentor, this is a great app that connects the right people.
OkCupid is an app that helps you to meet new people based on who you really are and what you're interested in. There are no quick judgements and rushed decisions here so just take your time and see how you feel as you go along. One unique feature is that you can set your pronouns at the beginning to make sure that you're addressed in your preferred tone, no matter how you identify.
To get things moving, OkCupid will help you start the first conversation and lead you to organise a date! The messaging system is quite limiting, but this system was put in place to reassure single women that they wouldn't be bombarded with unfiltered messages so you can date safely.
Using a compatibility matching system and a tailored questionnaire, this dating app allows you to build your own unique profile to help you find someone who ticks your boxes. It works by sending 'winks' to accounts that you're interested in and if you like someone who likes you back, you use an automated questionnaire to start breaking the ice!
If you tend to be shy at first encounter, this system will be perfect for you. On the free version, you can send winks and use the five website-chosen questions. You don't get much wiggle room in your conversation as a free user, so if you want a bit more freedom in what you get to say to your match you may have to upgrade.
Combining streaming with dating, finding love in a digital era has never been easier. You're required to complete a questionnaire to put yourself in the right groups for you to ensure that you find compatible profiles right away. Then, get the conversation moving and express yourself freely with videos, stories, and live streams.
Start your live stream and wait to see who joins – you might even find your match! Hily is a very safe way of dating as you can digitally introduce yourself before meeting in person. However, while the concept is smart, the algorithm can sometimes throw random accounts your way, which is disappointing.
No. 1: Tinder Inc. |Tinder
No. 2: Hinge, Inc. |Hinge
No. 3: Social Impact Inc.|Taimi
No. 4: Grindr LLC|Grindr|Gay Chat
No. 5: PlentyofFish|PlentyofFish
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